ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Mount Union men's basketball team lost to non-conference opponent Albion, 73-72, Saturday afternoon at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex.

The Purple Raiders (3-1) were led by JJ Kukura (Alliance/Alliance) who had a game-high 21 points. Miles Griffin (Massillon/Massillon Jackson) added 12 points and six rebounds for the Raiders. 

Albion was led by Darius Branch who tallied 20 points and four rebounds. 

The first half started off close as the Raiders led the Britons 7-6 with 15 minutes remaining in the period. DeAllen Jackson (Akron/Archbishop Hoban) and Nathan Bower-Malone (Stow/Stow) each posted a three-pointer to spark a 15-2 run for the Raiders to lead 22-8.

The Britons came within two points of the Raiders, 33-31, with 2:15 left in the first half, but the Raiders pushed their lead back to six, 39-33, going into halftime. 

Mount Union kept their lead throughout the first five minutes of the second half, 52-46. A three-pointer by Tommy Stenger (North Canton/Hoover) pushed a 10-4 run by the Raiders to get their largest lead of the game, 62-50. 

The Britans rallied a 15-2 run to get within one point of the Raiders, 66-65, as Albion then pushed for a three point lead over Mount Union, 69-66, with 1:20 left in the game. 

With two turnovers by Albion, Mount Union pulled back within one point, 71-70, with 38 seconds remaining. A Kukura jump shot got the Raiders up by one, 72-71, with 16 seconds to go. 

A foul by Mount Union put Albion at the line, making both of their foul shots, to get the 73-72 win over the Raiders. 

The Raiders next travel to Hiram to take on the Terriers Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00 PM.